The Age of Elizabeth (1547-1603)
This is a primary source reader compiled in the early 20th century as part of the English History Source Books series. It gathers contemporary documents from the Elizabethan era, ballads, proclamations, royal journals, personal accounts, and more, to give readers direct access to how people lived, thought, and recorded their world during one of England's most turbulent and glittering periods. The documents span Queen Elizabeth I's long reign, from the accession of Edward VI through the defeat of the Spanish Armada and beyond. What makes this volume valuable is its immediacy: you're reading the actual words of Tudor scribes, the ballads sung in taverns, the proclamations posted on church doors. It's a time capsule that bypasses centuries of interpretation to show the era through its own eyes. For history students, researchers, or anyone curious about the raw material of the Elizabethan world, this book offers an unfiltered portal into the politics, culture, and daily life of 16th-century England. The scholarly apparatus is minimal, keeping the focus on the documents themselves.
Editions
X-Ray
“Ryle Hira: Life is what it is””
— Unknown
“Second, and far more important: tuck your chin. You're going to get hurt, so expect it and be ready. You may as well see it coming.””
— Unknown
“Oi’m always noble, sir; it’s in my blood. ’As been ever since Oi ate that knight a few years back. Why?””
— Unknown
“Don't panic. Panic will kill you when nothing else wants to.””
— Unknown
“Allo, darlin’. Oi’m so glad to see it’s love at first sight for you, too.””
— Unknown
“Hello, Lucy. Do you name all your weapons, Grunthor?”“O’ course. It’s tradition.”Rhapsody nodded, understanding coming into her eyes. “That makes perfect sense. Do you find that you fight better with a weapon you’ve named?”“Yep.”Her eyes began to sparkle with excitement. “Why, Grunthor, in a way, you’re a Namer, too!”The giant broke into a pleased grin. “Well, whaddaya know. Should Oi sing a lit’le song?”“No,” said Rhapsody and Achmed in unison.””
— Unknown
“You cannot see the beauty without facing the darkness. Remember this.””
— Unknown
“We needed to face that darkness. And we did, together. I will tell you something that I want you to remember. If you forget all my other words, remember these: when you find the one thing in your life you believe in above anything else, you owe it to yourself to stand by it”
— Unknown
“Take the Friendmaker, for instance. Oi called 'im that , and now, when people see 'im, they instantly want to be my friend. Those that live, o' course." - Grunthor””
— Unknown